KARACHI: Veteran actress and director Sangeeta has spoken publicly about her third marriage and the domestic violence she says she experienced in her previous relationships.
Appearing on The Yazziastic show hosted by Yasir, Sangeeta said her marriage to film distributor Tariq Mendro has lasted 14 years. She was previously married to actor Humayun Qureshi and later to Naveed Akbar.
“It is my third marriage. My first marriage was with Humayun Qureshi, and my second was with Naveed Akbar. Now I am married for the third time to Tariq Mendro, who is from the film industry and is a big distributor,” she said.
Sangeeta said she decided to consider marriage again after arranging her daughters’ marriages and finding herself alone. According to her, Mendro proposed to her several times before she agreed.
“I thought one should have a companion in old age,” she said.
She praised her husband’s temperament, saying he does not use abusive language, hit women or engage in unnecessary arguments. She said their approach to disagreements has helped their marriage last.
“Even if I am angry, he leaves the room silently. Our marriage is successfully functioning because whenever we are angry, we go silent,” she said.
Sangeeta also spoke about physical violence in marriage, describing it as a major red flag and saying it was one of the reasons she sought divorce in the past.
“If one part of the body fails, you should cut it. I faced a lot; I used to reach the studio with bruises,” she said.
Born Parveen Rizvi in 1958, Sangeeta has worked in Pakistani cinema and television for more than five decades as an actress, producer and director. She directed the commercially successful Society Girl in 1976 and later made films including Nikah and Sona Chandi. She received the Pride of Performance award in 2022.
Sangeeta is currently directing the upcoming film Mukho, featuring Saima, Moammar Rana, Meera and Layla, as well as the drama serial Bhulley Shah.
ALSO READ >>> SBP denies reports of Rs10 banknote withdrawal
